Moving from Houston, TX to Fullerton, CA
It is 1529 mi and 26h 11m from Houston to Fullerton β a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1529 mi Β· 26h 11m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Fullerton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.1% above Houston β 98.629 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.1% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Fullerton -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 11.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 141,278 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $104,219 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 27.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.98 |
Expect median household income to rise 15.1% β $62,894 β $104,219 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fullerton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Fullerton sees only 11.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Fullerton, CA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1529 mi and the route typically takes 26h 11m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Fullerton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,219 in Fullerton vs $62,894 in Houston β a 65.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fullerton more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fullerton is 15.1% higher than Houston (113.566 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fullerton compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,050,945 in Fullerton vs $264,336 in Houston β a 297.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Fullerton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1529 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fullerton compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Fullerton MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Fullerton, CA.